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The second cohort of students from University of Liverpool Law School’s Law with a Year in Industry programme have commenced their placements. The programme offers students the opportunity to spend their third year gaining practical experience with leading law firms before returning to complete the final year of their LLB degree.
Building on the success of its inaugural year, the programme is expanding by supporting 15 students in 2025/26 and welcoming a new partner, Provenio.
Described by Legal 500 as “the best boutique in the North West - without a doubt”, Provenio is a Liverpool based boutique law firm specialising in high-value, complex business litigation for corporates and high net worth individuals across the UK and internationally
Commenting on Provenio’s partnership with Liverpool Law School, founder and managing partner Mark Goodwin said: “We are delighted to partner with the University of Liverpool Law School on this programme. As a firm we are absolutely committed to developing the next generation of legal talent. The Law with a Year in Industry initiative, alongside our Graduate Solicitor Apprenticeship Programme, marks our ongoing dedication to providing meaningful opportunities for career development.”
The programme continues to partner with prestigious law firms across Liverpool, including:
Lorna Mitchell, School of Law and Justice Employability Lead and Director of Studies for the programme said: “Participation in these year-long placements as part of the Law with a Year in Industry programme has been a transformative experience for our students, providing them with an opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge in a real-world setting, enabling them to develop skills and competencies highly sought after by employers and ensuring both their personal and professional development.”
Students gain practical, hands-on experience across a range of legal areas, while being paid by their respective law firms. Four students from the 2024/25 cohort have already secured training contracts with the very firms where they completed their placements, while a further two students have used the experience and skills that they have gained from the programme to secure training contracts with law firms outside the programme. These successful outcomes highlight the programme’s direct impact on career progression and future opportunities in the legal profession.
Liverpool Law School student Mohammed Rafique, who secured a training contract with DWF following his placement, said: "It’s one thing to study law in a classroom but applying it in a real-world legal environment has deepened my understanding in ways I couldn’t have imagined. I’ve developed a sharper eye for detail, grown in confidence when communicating with clients and colleagues, and built resilience, patience and a stronger sense of responsibility, qualities that are essential for a career in law. Being offered a training contract is a huge vote of confidence from the firm and means they’ve seen your potential and want to invest in your future."
Professor Valsamis Mitsilegas, Dean of the University of Liverpool School of Law and Social Justice, commented: "The Law with a Year in Industry programme provides an exceptional bridge between academic study and professional practice. Seeing our students gain real-world experience, develop confidence and secure career opportunities is incredibly rewarding. The addition of Provenio as a partner firm reflects the programme’s continued growth and prestige, offering more pathways for our students to thrive in the legal profession."
The programme continues to promote inclusivity and equal opportunity, encouraging applications from students from under-represented backgrounds or those facing potential barriers in the legal profession.
Details of the 2026/27 programme will be announced in due course. Please note that the programme is not open to external applicants and cannot be applied for via UCAS.